How to Install a Dual Gang Wall Outlet

by Emrah Oruc

A dual gang outlet lets you plug in more devices in one location.

Installing an electrical receptacle may be necessary when remodeling a room or finishing a basement. Electrical wiring can be a daunting task for a homeowner, but with the proper tools and a basic understanding of electrical wiring, it can be safely accomplished. Although a single receptacle is the most common type, you may need to install a dual gang outlet. This means there are two receptacles, side by side, in one electrical box. Although it is a little more complicated, once you have mastered the principles for single receptacle wiring, the wiring for a dual gang outlet is similar.

1

Turn off the electricity to the wires by flipping the circuit breaker off at the main electrical panel. Test the wires with an electrical tester to make sure they are not live.

2

Place the dual gang box against a stud, approximately 12 to 18 inches above the floor, and align the raised tabs with the outside edge of the stud. Hammer the two nails into the stud. Break the tabs at the top rear portion of the box and insert the wires through the tabs.

3

Strip the ends of the wires to expose approximately 1/2 inch of copper wire. Twist the incoming and outgoing hot wires (usually black) together with lineman's pliers. Cut a short length of wire -- called a pigtail -- and connect one end to the brass terminal of the first receptacle. Twist the other end to the two hot wires.

4

Twist the incoming and outgoing neutral wires (usually white) together. Cut a pigtail and connect one end to the silver side of the receptacle and twist the other end to the neutral wires.

5

Twist incoming and outgoing ground wires (completely exposed copper) together. Cut a pigtail and connect the one end to the ground (green) terminal on the receptacle and twist the other end to the two ground wires.

6

Wire the second receptacle in the same fashion as the first, using pigtails: the hot pigtail from the brass screw to the twisted hot wires, the neutral pigtail from the silver screw to the twisted neutral wires, and a ground pigtail to the twisted ground wires.

7

Screw a wire nut over each twisted connection. Screw the wire nut on in a clockwise direction until the screw is tight. Do not over-tighten or you may strip the wire nut's threads.

8

Tuck the bundled wires into the outlet box, behind the receptacles. Push the receptacles into the box and attach them to the box by tightening each receptacle's top and bottom screws. Do not over-tighten. The receptacles should be able to move slightly by hand. This helps when aligning the cover plate.

9

When the remodeling is finished and drywall installed, the outlet box should be flush with the finished wall's face. Attach the cover plate, ensuring the raised face of the receptacles fits through the holes in the cover plate. Tighten until barely snug. Cover plates are easy to crack if you over-tighten.

Things You Will Need

Electrical tester

Dual gang outlet box

Tape measure

Hammer

Screwdriver

Wire strippers

Lineman's pliers

Wire nuts

Tip

Wire nuts are color-coded and sized by wire gauge and number of wires per connection. Read the gauge/capacity rating on the wire nut's packaging to determine the correct size wire nut.

Warning

Never attempt to remove or install an outlet unless the circuit breaker is turned off.

About the Author

Emrah Oruc is a general contractor, freelance writer and former race-car mechanic who has written professionally since 2000. He has been published in "The Family Handyman" magazine and has experience as a consultant developing and delivering end-user training. Oruc holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science and a minor in economics from the University of Delaware.

Photo Credits

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